Attitudes of psychologists toward drug abusers

This survey of 827 psychologists' and trainees' attitudes toward drug abusers includes definitions of drug abuse, causes, recommended treat, treatment environments, and personal commitment to treating abusers. The use of prison and courts is contrasted with hospitals, and a subgroup's attitudes are contrasted with previously surveyed attitudes toward alcoholics. Recommended financial benefits and knowledge of laboratory tests to detect drug abuse also are assessed. Differences among three groups of psychologists and their respective response biases are discussed. Various elements of the profession have potential contributions to make to this serious social problem.